Tourism Leadership Council 2015 Annual Report by Tourism Leadership Council

TLC

TOUR I S M

VISION • ADVOC ACY• AC T ION

TO U R I S M L E A D ER S H I P CO U N C I L A N N UA L R EP O RT | 2015

2015 TO U R I S M PA RT N ER S H I P PROG R A M I N V E S TO R S

TA B L E O F CO N T E N T S Letter from the President

VISION Commmunity Involvement 5 Savannah Serves 6 Tour Guide Certification 7 Savannah Food & Wine Festival 8-9

A DVOC AC Y Advocacy at Work 11 H.B. 170 12-13 In the Media 14 Luncheons 15

AC T I O N Publications 17 Workforce Development 18 Education 19 Tourism Awards 20 Golf Tournament 21 Membership 22 Board of Directors & Staff 23

We thank these organizations who show their commitment by joining the Tourism Partnership Program as an investment in the protection and advocacy of our tourism community.

L E T T ER F RO M T H E PR E S I D EN T Dear Tourism Partner,

n 2015, the Tourism Leadership Council was busy with our mission to provide a unified group with committed leadership pledged to promote, protect and serve the interests of the tourism and hospitality community. This annual report outlines our progress. Leading the charge, our Board of Directors is made up of industry professionals and decision makers that represent varied factions of our tourism community. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chairman, Mitch Linder, led the organization through big advocacy and events efforts. The Tourism Leadership Council exists to share vision, advocacy and action for our tourism community. We measure success by how well we are able to do this. We successfully rallied a tri-state campaign to generate a call to action regarding the largest state tax our industry has ever seen. We worked with legislators, stakeholders and the community to work toward a resolution. This was the third year of Savannah Food & Wine Festival and a new home to the signature event, Taste of Savannah. We saw an influx of people, who spent more than $6 million in Savannah during a typically slow period in the tourism community. We were able to award scholarships to students studying hospitality and tourism and awards to the best of the best of the tourism workers at the 17th Annual Tourism Awards and Scholarship Dinner. The TLC team carried out all programs with tenacity and vigor. Each of them showed dedication to the organization and mission. It is with pleasure that I commend them on their commitment to this organization and to you. I believe there is a bright future ahead. I look forward to serving the tourism community in the Coastal Empire. Sincerely,

Michael Owens President/CEO

17 Hundred 90 Inn & Restaurant • Andaz • Azalea Inn and Gardens • B Historic Savannah • Best Western Plus - Savannah Historic District • Bluegreen Resorts • Comfort Suites Historic District • Country Inn & Suites - Savannah Airport • Country Inn & Suites Savannah Midtown • Courtyard by Marriott Savannah Historic District • Desoto Beach Bed & Breakfast • Desoto Beach Hotel • Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah • East Bay Inn • Eliza Thompson House • Embassy Suites Savannah • Embassy Suites Savannah Airport • Green Palm Inn • Grove Point Plantation • Hampton Inn & Suites Midtown Savannah • Hampton Inn Historic District • Hampton Inn Savannah I-95 North • Hilton Garden Inn - Savannah Airport • Hilton Garden Inn - Midtown • Hilton Garden Inn - Savannah Historic District • Hilton Savannah DeSoto • Holiday Inn Historic Savannah • Holiday Inn Express - Historic District • Homewood Suites by Hilton Savannah Historic District • HOS Management • Hotel Tybee • Hyatt Place Savannah Airport • Hyatt Regency Savannah • Kehoe House • Lucky Savannah Vacation Rentals • Mansion on Forsyth Park • Marshall House • Ocean Plaza Beach Resort • Oglethorpe Inn & Suites • Olde Harbour Inn • Planters Inn • Presidents’ Quarters • Residence Inn by Marriott Savannah Downtown • Residence Inn Savannah Airport • River Street Inn • Roussell’s Garden B&B • Savannah Bed & Breakfast Inn • Savannah Dream Vacations • Savannah Marriott Riverfront • Sea and Breeze Hotel • Sega Management/Holiday Inn Express - Hardeeville • Southern Belle Vacation Rentals • Springhill Suites Savannah Airport • Springhill Suites Savannah Historic District • Springhill Suites Savannah Midtown • Staybridge Suites Historic Savannah • The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront • The Brice - A Kimpton Hotel • The Cotton Sail Hotel • The Gastonian • The Whitman • Thunderbird Inn • Tybee Vacation Rentals • Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa • York Street Vacation Condos • Zeigler House Inn, LLC • 24e • Above & Beyond Limousine Service • Abshire Public Relations • Action Coach • Adventure Tours in Motion • Advertising Specialty Services • Alphagraphics • Ambos Seafood • American Diabetes Association • Ameris Bank • Andrew Low House • Andrews & Sanders Law Office (Veterans Council) • Atlanta Magazine • Atlantic Waste Services • Avail Public Health Compliance Consulting • Belfor Property Restoration • Bernard Williams Insurance & Financial Services • Blue Focus Media • Bonaventure Historical Society • Byrd Cookie Company • Captain Mike’s Dolphin Adventure • Chatham Area Transit • Chatham Parkway Subaru • Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table • Cherokee Publishing Company • City Market • City of Savannah • Clear Channel Media & Entertainment • Coastal Heritage Society • Cobblestone Connections • Convention Consultants • Cool Wave, Inc. • Creative Peanut • Cumulus Broadcasting • Dalsego, LLC • Discover Tybee Island • Downtown Business Association • Eat It and Like It.com • Edgewood Travel • Edibelles • Edward Don & Company • Electric Bikes of Savannah • Empire Distributors • Escape Savannah • Expedia • Families First Funeral Care & Cremation Center • First African Baptist Church • Friesens America • Georgia Department of Economic Development & Tourism • Gallery 209 • Garden City Convention & Visitors Bureau • Gas South • General Growth Properties/Oglethorpe Mall • Georgia Association of CVBs • Georgia Power • Georgia Tech Savannah • Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia • Goodwill of the Coastal Empire • Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary • Hancock Askew & Company LLP • Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce • Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance • Historic Savannah Carriage Tours • Historic Savannah Foundation • Hostess City Celebrations • HostSouth • HT Creative, LLC • HunterMaclean • iDcard.com • Indian Motorcycle Savannah • John Alexander Photography • Johnnie Ganem Wine & Package Shop • Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace • Kinsley Meetings • Levy Jewelers • Living Social • Maven Makers • Merchant Service Center • Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum • Miss Judy Charters • Mobility BOBs ˈviZHən/ - [noun]: the act or power of imagination • Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP • MusicFile Productions/Savannah Stopover Music Festival • NeSmith Gift Advertising • Northern Lights ResThe •Tourism Council has all the Tright people in•the room Ttoours imagine toration • Nourish NuBarter Leadership • Official Guides of Savannah • Oof geechee echnical College Oglethorpe • Old Sour avannah Tours • Old Town Trolley Tfuture. ours of S avannah • ON the Eventsecond Services •largest Patrick’seconomic Uniforms • Paul Kennedy atering • Pooler Chamber ofofCommerce We harness driver andCthe largest employer the and Visitor’s Bureau • Private Walking Tours of Savannah • Quality Wine & Spirits • Quirk Health & Wellness • Ranco South Event Rentals • Randy ThompCoastal Empire to look beyond today’s events and imagine a future that serves all of the son Photography • Redware • Resort Services, Inc. • Responsible Alcohol Server Training LLC • Richmond Hill City Center • Richmond Hill workers our With tourism’s $2.5• Rbillion in outside Convention &residents, Visitors Bureau • River and Streetguests Market of Place • Rarea. iver Street Riverboat Company iver Street Sweets • Rspending, obert Cooper Photography • Robertson & Markowitz Advertising & Publicthe Relations • R oots Up Gallery • Royal Cinemas & IMAX • Royal Cup Coffee • Salt Table • Savantime is now to cast a vision for all. nah Art Association • Savannah Auction Exchange • Savannah Book Festival • Savannah Cams, LLC • Savannah Candy Kitchen • Savannah Coca-Cola • Savannah Coffee Roasters • Savannah Destination Management LLC • Savannah Distributing Company • Savannah International Trade & Convention Center • Savannah Magazine • Savannah Morning News • Savannah Music Festival • Savannah Pedicab, LLC • Savannah Philharmonic • Savannah Rae’s Gourmet Popcorn • Savannah Technical College • Savannah Theatre • Savannah Tour of Homes • SavannahHilton Head International Airport • Savannahjobs.com • Savannah Waterfront Association • Savor Savannah Catering by SMG • Scott West Marketing • Segway of Savannah • Service Brewing Co. • SHELTAIR Aviation • Sherrill & Company • Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum • Shoe Be Do • Vicki Siefker • Signature Flight • South Magazine • Southern Urgent Care • Spectrum Printing/Marketing Service • Stafford Promotions • Stay Savannah Vacation Rentals • Steel the Show • Sysco Jacksonville • Tanger Outlets Savannah • Telfair Museum of Art • The AdFish Group • The Ancient Olive • The Coastal Bank • The Creative Approach • The Kennickell Group • The Landings at Skidaway Island • The Mackey House • The Savannah Walks Inc. • The Spice & Tea Exchange of Savannah • Totally Tourist • Tour Services, LLC • Tradewinds Casino Cruise • TRAVELHOST of Savannah & Hilton Head/Beaufort • Tremble Productions • Tybee Island Historical Society • United Distributors • United WebWorks, Inc. • USCB - Hospitality Management Program • Virginia College - Savannah • Visit Savannah • Visit Tybee • Visitors Television Network • Webb Military Museum • West Broad Street YMCA • William D. Cannady, CPA, PC • WJCL-TV; WTGS-TV • Woof Gang Bakery • YatesAstro • YMCA of Coastal Georgia • 39 Rue De Jean • 45 Bistro • a.Lure Contemporary Lowcountry Cuisine • Abe’s on Lincoln • Ampersand • B. Matthew’s Eatery • B. Tillman • Belford’s Savannah Seafood & Steaks • Blowin’ Smoke • Boar’s Head Grill & Tavern • Boomy’s Bar on Congress • Born to Eat Enterprises, LLC • Byrd Cookie Company • Chart House Restaurant • Chicken Salad Chick • Churchill’s Pub • Club One Jefferson/ The Bay Cafe • CO/Cocktail Co. • Cohen’s Retreat • Crystal Beer Parlor • Dept. 7 East • Driftaway Cafe • Elizabeth on 37th • Fiddler’s Crab House • Garibaldi’s Cafe • Green Truck Pub • Huey’s • Jazz’d Tapas Bar • Johnny Harris Banquet Center • Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub • Leoci’s Trattoria • Leopold’s Ice Cream • Liberty Street Grill • Lighthouse Pizza Inc. • Local 11ten Food & Wine • Moon River Brewing Company • North Beach Bar & Grill • Pacci Italian Kitchen & Bar • Rock House Bar & Grill • Ruth’s Chris Steak House • Sapphire Grill Restaurant • Shrimp Factory • Spanky’s River Street • The 5 Spot • The Collins Quarter • The Crab Shack • The Florence • The Funky Brunch Cafe • The Grey Restaurant • The Lady & Sons • The Landings Club • The Olde Pink House Restaurant • The Pirates’ House Restaurant • The Rail Pub • Top Deck Savannah, LLC • Treylor Park • Tubby’s Thunderbolt • Vic’s on the River • Wet Willie’s •Wicked Cakes of Savannah • Wild Wing Cafe •

VISION

•

CO M M U N I T Y I N VOLV EM EN T

•

he best way to evoke the vision is by being involved. This year, the Tourism Leadership Council was represented on more than 50 boards throughout the state and our community by way of staff and board members. From CrimeStoppers, to the Tourism Advisory Committee, to the Georgia Restaurant Association, to the Georgia Travel Association we are represented. We were also selected to represent the interests of the tourism and hospitality community on the Chief of Police’s business advisory panel. And, we deepened and strengthened our relationship with the Downtown Neighborhood Association and the Downtown Business Association leading to a joint call to action regarding the preservation of the Metro Police merger agreement. We also volunteered for the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire (pictured) as they put on the inaugural Red, White and Blue Barbecue, benefitting the families of law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs that have fallen in the line of duty.

SAVANNAH SERVES Hostess City of the South

he vision for Savannah Serves started 14 years ago with a study done saying that Savannah needed an ambassador program. Over the years various organizations have attempted to get the program up and running. However, in 2015, the TLC and the City of Savannah formed a solid partnership and worked together to make it happen. Today, those ambassadors are serving residents and guests. Red Team ambassadors walk up and down the streets, building relationships with downtown businesses, assisting visitors with directions around the city, reporting suspicious activity and vandalism and helping out where they are needed. City leaders have recognized the importance of this investment and will continue funding the program through 2016. Businesses and residents have responded, lauding Savannah Serves as a success. There is still a lot more to do to fully implement the program. You can read more about the complete program at www.SavannahServes.com.

oward the end of the year, the City of Savannah stopped certifying tour guides based on a test. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when industry stakeholders and tour guides approached the Tourism Leadership Council about taking up the charge. The consensus was that those who recommend tours to the guest, want tour guides to have proved their basic knowledge of history for our community. They wanted to have a certification process to help maintain the quality of the tour product. The TLC assembled a committee made up of expert historians and stakeholders including Georgia Historical Society, Armstrong State University, tour guides from large companies and tour guides with no employees. This committee reviewed and revamped the official tour guide manual and rewrote the test. It had been almost ten years since the manual was updated. Although the history does not change, the information we have can. In 2016, we will begin certifying tour guides and offering a list of those certified through a new website, www.SavannahTourGuides.com.

SAVAN NAH FOOD

he third year of the Savannah Food & Wine Festival continued to attract visitors in a slower season. Publix signed on to be the presenting sponsor for the next three years, broadening our reach throughout the Southeast. Other changes have come to the festival, including the addition of new events such as the Georgia Grown Trustees Wine Challenge Dinner and the Secret Savannah Speakeasy. The headline event, Taste of Savannah, was moved out of Ellis Square to the Georgia State Railroad Museum. This historic railyard proved to be a perfect venue for our growing event. More than 6,000 guests filled the museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grounds, which were filled with vendors serving food, wine and spirits samples. In addition to bringing in more than $6 million in new spending to the Savannah area that would otherwise not be here, Savannah Food & Wine Festival has been able to raise more than $100,000 in charitable giving to charities both local and national.

& W I N E FES TI VAL

Largest drive markets: Atlanta, GA; Jacksonville, FL; and Orlando, FL. $6 million economic impact More than 75% of the festival attendees stayed in Savannah for 2 or more days, planning their trip around the festival. More than 80% of guests are likely to return in following years, and recommend the festival to friends.

17 Hundred 90 Inn & Restaurant • Andaz • Azalea Inn and Gardens • B Historic Savannah • Best Western Plus - Savannah Historic District • Bluegreen Resorts • Comfort Suites Historic District • Country Inn & Suites - Savannah Airport • Country Inn & Suites Savannah Midtown • Courtyard by Marriott Savannah Historic District • Desoto Beach Bed & Breakfast • Desoto Beach Hotel • Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah • East Bay Inn • Eliza Thompson House • Embassy Suites Savannah • Embassy Suites Savannah Airport • Green Palm Inn • Grove Point Plantation • Hampton Inn & Suites Midtown Savannah • Hampton Inn Historic District • Hampton Inn Savannah I-95 North • Hilton Garden Inn - Savannah Airport • Hilton Garden Inn - Midtown • Hilton Garden Inn - Savannah Historic District • Hilton Savannah DeSoto • Holiday Inn Historic Savannah • Holiday Inn Express - Historic District • Homewood Suites by Hilton Savannah Historic District • HOS Management • Hotel Tybee • Hyatt Place Savannah Airport • Hyatt Regency Savannah • Kehoe House • Lucky Savannah Vacation Rentals • Mansion on Forsyth Park • Marshall House • Ocean Plaza Beach Resort • Oglethorpe Inn & Suites • Olde Harbour Inn • Planters Inn • Presidents’ Quarters • Residence Inn by Marriott Savannah Downtown • Residence Inn Savannah Airport • River Street Inn • Roussell’s Garden B&B • Savannah Bed & Breakfast Inn • Savannah Dream Vacations • Savannah Marriott Riverfront • Sea and Breeze Hotel • Sega Management/Holiday Inn Express - Hardeeville • Southern Belle Vacation Rentals • Springhill Suites Savannah Airport • Springhill Suites Savannah Historic District • Springhill Suites Savannah Midtown • Staybridge Suites Historic Savannah • The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront • The Brice - A Kimpton Hotel • The Cotton Sail Hotel • The Gastonian • The Whitman • Thunderbird Inn • Tybee Vacation Rentals • Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa • York Street Vacation Condos • Zeigler House Inn, LLC • 24e • Above & Beyond Limousine Service • Abshire Public Relations • Action Coach • Adventure Tours in Motion • Advertising Specialty Services • Alphagraphics • Ambos Seafood • American Diabetes Association • Ameris Bank • Andrew Low House • Andrews & Sanders Law Office (Veterans Council) • Atlanta Magazine • Atlantic Waste Services • Avail Public Health Compliance Consulting • Belfor Property Restoration • Bernard Williams Insurance & Financial Services • Blue Focus Media • Bonaventure Historical Society • Byrd Cookie Company • Captain Mike’s Dolphin Adventure • Chatham Area Transit • Chatham Parkway Subaru • Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table • Cherokee Publishing Company • City Market • City of Savannah • Clear Channel Media & Entertainment • Coastal Heritage Society • Cobblestone Connections • Convention Consultants • Cool Wave, Inc. • Creative Peanut • Cumulus Broadcasting • Dalsego, LLC • Discover Tybee Island • Downtown Business Association • Eat It and Like It.com • Edgewood Travel • Edibelles • Edward Don & Company • Electric Bikes of Savannah • Empire Distributors • Escape Savannah • Expedia • Families First Funeral Care & Cremation Center • First African Baptist Church • Friesens America • Georgia Department of Economic Development & Tourism • Gallery 209 • Garden City Convention & Visitors Bureau • Gas South • General Growth Properties/Oglethorpe Mall • Georgia Association of CVBs • Georgia Power • Georgia Tech Savannah • Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia • Goodwill of the Coastal Empire • Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary • Hancock Askew & Company LLP • Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce • Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance • Historic Savannah Carriage Tours • Historic Savannah Foundation • Hostess City Celebrations • HostSouth • HT Creative, LLC • HunterMaclean • iDcard.com • Indian Motorcycle Savannah • John Alexander Photography • Johnnie Ganem Wine & Package Shop • Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace • Kinsley Meetings • Levy Jewelers • Living Social • Maven Makers • Merchant Service Center • Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum • Miss Judy Charters • Mobility BOBs /ˈadvəkəsē/- [noun]: public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy • Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP • MusicFile Productions/Savannah Stopover Music Festival • NeSmith Gift Advertising • Northern Lights Resfor the tourism community and statewide, as in the case• O ofldHouse toration • NWe ourishspeak • NuBarter • Official Guides of Savannah in • OSavannah geechee Technical College • Oglethorpe Tours Savannah Tours • Old Town Trolley TBill ours170, of Savannah ONhad EventaServices atrick’s Uon niforms Paul Kennedy Catering Pooler groups Chamber of ommerce and Visitor’s which•has strong• Pimpact our•industry. We have •united in Cour Bureau • Private Walking Tours of Savannah • Quality Wine & Spirits • Quirk Health & Wellness • Ranco South Event Rentals • Randy Thompcommunity to strive for a common good, and we continue to connect people through our son Photography • Redware • Resort Services, Inc. • Responsible Alcohol Server Training LLC • Richmond Hill City Center • Richmond Hill Luncheons. Convention & Visitors Bureau • River Street Market TLC Place •Connection River Street Riverboat Company • River Street Sweets • Robert Cooper Photography • Robertson & Markowitz Advertising & Public Relations • Roots Up Gallery • Royal Cinemas & IMAX • Royal Cup Coffee • Salt Table • Savannah Art Association • Savannah Auction Exchange • Savannah Book Festival • Savannah Cams, LLC • Savannah Candy Kitchen • Savannah Coca-Cola • Savannah Coffee Roasters • Savannah Destination Management LLC • Savannah Distributing Company • Savannah International Trade & Convention Center • Savannah Magazine • Savannah Morning News • Savannah Music Festival • Savannah Pedicab, LLC • Savannah Philharmonic • Savannah Rae’s Gourmet Popcorn • Savannah Technical College • Savannah Theatre • Savannah Tour of Homes • SavannahHilton Head International Airport • Savannahjobs.com • Savannah Waterfront Association • Savor Savannah Catering by SMG • Scott West Marketing • Segway of Savannah • Service Brewing Co. • SHELTAIR Aviation • Sherrill & Company • Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum • Shoe Be Do • Vicki Siefker • Signature Flight • South Magazine • Southern Urgent Care • Spectrum Printing/Marketing Service • Stafford Promotions • Stay Savannah Vacation Rentals • Steel the Show • Sysco Jacksonville • Tanger Outlets Savannah • Telfair Museum of Art • The AdFish Group • The Ancient Olive • The Coastal Bank • The Creative Approach • The Kennickell Group • The Landings at Skidaway Island • The Mackey House • The Savannah Walks Inc. • The Spice & Tea Exchange of Savannah • Totally Tourist • Tour Services, LLC • Tradewinds Casino Cruise • TRAVELHOST of Savannah & Hilton Head/Beaufort • Tremble Productions • Tybee Island Historical Society • United Distributors • United WebWorks, Inc. • USCB - Hospitality Management Program • Virginia College - Savannah • Visit Savannah • Visit Tybee • Visitors Television Network • Webb Military Museum • West Broad Street YMCA • William D. Cannady, CPA, PC • WJCL-TV; WTGS-TV • Woof Gang Bakery • YatesAstro • YMCA of Coastal Georgia • 39 Rue De Jean • 45 Bistro • a.Lure Contemporary Lowcountry Cuisine • Abe’s on Lincoln • Ampersand • B. Matthew’s Eatery • B. Tillman • Belford’s Savannah Seafood & Steaks • Blowin’ Smoke • Boar’s Head Grill & Tavern • Boomy’s Bar on Congress • Born to Eat Enterprises, LLC • Byrd Cookie Company • Chart House Restaurant • Chicken Salad Chick • Churchill’s Pub • Club One Jefferson/ The Bay Cafe • CO/Cocktail Co. • Cohen’s Retreat • Crystal Beer Parlor • Dept. 7 East • Driftaway Cafe • Elizabeth on 37th • Fiddler’s Crab House • Garibaldi’s Cafe • Green Truck Pub • Huey’s • Jazz’d Tapas Bar • Johnny Harris Banquet Center • Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub • Leoci’s Trattoria • Leopold’s Ice Cream • Liberty Street Grill • Lighthouse Pizza Inc. • Local 11ten Food & Wine • Moon River Brewing Company • North Beach Bar & Grill • Pacci Italian Kitchen & Bar • Rock House Bar & Grill • Ruth’s Chris Steak House • Sapphire Grill Restaurant • Shrimp Factory • Spanky’s River Street • The 5 Spot • The Collins Quarter • The Crab Shack • The Florence • The Funky Brunch Cafe • The Grey Restaurant • The Lady & Sons • The Landings Club • The Olde Pink House Restaurant • The Pirates’ House Restaurant • The Rail Pub • Top Deck Savannah, LLC • Treylor Park • Tubby’s Thunderbolt • Vic’s on the River • Wet Willie’s •Wicked Cakes of Savannah • Wild Wing Cafe •

A DVOC AC Y

ADVOC AC Y AT WOR K

very day there is so much at play that affects our tourism community. At the Tourism Leadership Council, we make it a point to be at the table and part of the discussion for issues big and small.

With the mayoral and aldermanic elections in 2015, the TLC was at the forefront of the political scene representing our constituency. We hosted the largest candidate debate of the election cycle at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center. Candidates for Mayor, Aldermen AtLarge, and Alderman District 2 were led through a series of questions prepared by the membership. WTOCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sonny Dixon moderated the debate, and WTOC also aired a livestream of the debate. We actively engaged the City, residents, and vacation rental owners to create a vacation rental ordinance that was fair for all and created a level playing field for those engaging in lodging. Enforcement began throughout 2015. We actively engaged stakeholders, the revenue department, and the City Manager to remove harmful provisions in the new alcohol ordinance. All controversial provisions have been removed from the draft ordinance. Finally, we were presented with a proclamation by the City of Savannah recognizing the work of the Tourism Leadership Council and the importance of the tourism industry in Savannah and the Coastal Empire (pictured). The proclamation was issued by the Mayor and Council on April 30, 2015 at the City Council meeting.

L ARG ES T TO U R I SM TA X L E V I ED I N 2015 | H . B . 170

n April 1, 2015, the tourism community was shaken by an announcement from the state legislature. House Bill 170 had been voted into law, placing a $5 per room per night fee on hotel rooms statewide. Lodging properties around the state were concerned about the possible ramifications of the fee on individual business and the tourism community. The TLC quickly mobilized to address the concerns of the community, and created a grassroots movement with a call to action for concerned citizens to call legislative representatives and the governor to express their concerns with the new fee. TLC President/CEO Michael Owens requested that everyone who called their legislative representatives to email or call him. Hundreds of calls and emails poured into the gold dome, even tying up the phone lines for some time. This campaign spread beyond Savannah, with the email being circulated throughout major hoteliers such as Choice Hotels. We tracked where the calls came from in the map on the next page.

As the largest tax Georgia has ever levied on the tourism industry, this could have been a devastating blow. This tax is expected to collect $200 million in revenue. However, through our successful advocacy efforts, our area is slated to receive more than $244 million in spending on our local transportation projects.

This map shows the reach within 24 hours of mobilization. People called the Governor’s Office from all over the tri-state area. Each marker represents from where people called; in some cases one marker represents hundreds of calls.

While the bill was not vetoed, this movement established the TLC as the go-to voice to advocate for tourism and hospitality statewide. Part of our strategy was ensuring Savannah-Chatham County was getting a fair share of the transportation spending. Through our collaborative advocacy efforts, more than $244 million will be spent on projects in the Savannah-Chatham area. Before these recent efforts, no GDOT dollars for major improvement projects were slated for our area. As a result of our community’s efforts, we now have a multitude of projects receiving funding such as Broughton Street improvements, I-16 widening and a complete rebuild of the I-95/I-16 interchange. Some of these projects have been on the Savannah-Chatham wish list for more than a decade. It took hard work and long hours to turn this situation around. Owens testified to the House and Senate Economic Development and Tourism Committees and to the State Revenue Commission. He served as a panelist with Georgia Representative Ron Stephens at the regional Asian-American Hotel Owners Association conference. Ultimately, we didn’t give up. We envisioned and implemented a strategy that will put this fee in the best case scenario for our area.

I N TH E M EDIA

s the voice of the tourism businesses and workers, our voice was most loudly carried in the media. The TLC represented the tourism industry in more than 100 interviews in 2015 regarding taxation issues, tourismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic benefit, public safety concerns, employment, Savannah Serves, certification programs, educational and training programs, vacation rental issues, community and charity support programs and initiatives, the TLC scholarship program and tourism in schools program. We were featured on WTOC, WSAV, WJCL, Georgia Public Broadcasting, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Savannah Morning News, the Savannah Business Journal, and WSB-TV Atlanta. Communication efforts were strengthened by a new crime-alert notification initiative in partnership with Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department. Any crime from the historic district that is reported to us goes out to alert members to public safety issues immediately. The program operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

TLC CON N EC TION LU NCH EON S

e continued to host monthly luncheons to connect our members to each other while featuring informative and educational speakers.

The largest luncheon of the year was in partnership with the Savannah Downtown Business Association, where we hosted a candidate forum for the city council and mayoral elections. The candidates were presented with a slate of questions that would inform the audience on their stances on the issues that face the city of Savannah, such as crime, economic development and more. Hundreds of people filled the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center to hear from the candidates.

2015 LU N C H E O N S PE A K E R S January: Allison Miguel, JetBlue March: Tony Center, Chatham County Commission April: Mayor Edna Jackson, City of Savannah May: Sarah Lamar, HunterMaclean June: Bridget Lidy, City of Savannah

August: Joe Marinelli, Visit Savannah September: Diana Morrison, Advertising Specialty Services October: Mayor & City Council Candidate Forum November: Nick Kaczar, Expedia

17 Hundred 90 Inn & Restaurant • Andaz • Azalea Inn and Gardens • B Historic Savannah • Best Western Plus - Savannah Historic District • Bluegreen Resorts • Comfort Suites Historic District • Country Inn & Suites - Savannah Airport • Country Inn & Suites Savannah Midtown • Courtyard by Marriott Savannah Historic District • Desoto Beach Bed & Breakfast • Desoto Beach Hotel • Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah • East Bay Inn • Eliza Thompson House • Embassy Suites Savannah • Embassy Suites Savannah Airport • Green Palm Inn • Grove Point Plantation • Hampton Inn & Suites Midtown Savannah • Hampton Inn Historic District • Hampton Inn Savannah I-95 North • Hilton Garden Inn - Savannah Airport • Hilton Garden Inn - Midtown • Hilton Garden Inn - Savannah Historic District • Hilton Savannah DeSoto • Holiday Inn Historic Savannah • Holiday Inn Express - Historic District • Homewood Suites by Hilton Savannah Historic District • HOS Management • Hotel Tybee • Hyatt Place Savannah Airport • Hyatt Regency Savannah • Kehoe House • Lucky Savannah Vacation Rentals • Mansion on Forsyth Park • Marshall House • Ocean Plaza Beach Resort • Oglethorpe Inn & Suites • Olde Harbour Inn • Planters Inn • Presidents’ Quarters • Residence Inn by Marriott Savannah Downtown • Residence Inn Savannah Airport • River Street Inn • Roussell’s Garden B&B • Savannah Bed & Breakfast Inn • Savannah Dream Vacations • Savannah Marriott Riverfront • Sea and Breeze Hotel • Sega Management/Holiday Inn Express - Hardeeville • Southern Belle Vacation Rentals • Springhill Suites Savannah Airport • Springhill Suites Savannah Historic District • Springhill Suites Savannah Midtown • Staybridge Suites Historic Savannah • The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront • The Brice - A Kimpton Hotel • The Cotton Sail Hotel • The Gastonian • The Whitman • Thunderbird Inn • Tybee Vacation Rentals • Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa • York Street Vacation Condos • Zeigler House Inn, LLC • 24e • Above & Beyond Limousine Service • Abshire Public Relations • Action Coach • Adventure Tours in Motion • Advertising Specialty Services • Alphagraphics • Ambos Seafood • American Diabetes Association • Ameris Bank • Andrew Low House • Andrews & Sanders Law Office (Veterans Council) • Atlanta Magazine • Atlantic Waste Services • Avail Public Health Compliance Consulting • Belfor Property Restoration • Bernard Williams Insurance & Financial Services • Blue Focus Media • Bonaventure Historical Society • Byrd Cookie Company • Captain Mike’s Dolphin Adventure • Chatham Area Transit • Chatham Parkway Subaru • Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table • Cherokee Publishing Company • City Market • City of Savannah • Clear Channel Media & Entertainment • Coastal Heritage Society • Cobblestone Connections • Convention Consultants • Cool Wave, Inc. • Creative Peanut • Cumulus Broadcasting • Dalsego, LLC • Discover Tybee Island • Downtown Business Association • Eat It and Like It.com • Edgewood Travel • Edibelles • Edward Don & Company • Electric Bikes of Savannah • Empire Distributors • Escape Savannah • Expedia • Families First Funeral Care & Cremation Center • First African Baptist Church • Friesens America • Georgia Department of Economic Development & Tourism • Gallery 209 • Garden City Convention & Visitors Bureau • Gas South • General Growth Properties/Oglethorpe Mall • Georgia Association of CVBs • Georgia Power • Georgia Tech Savannah • Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia • Goodwill of the Coastal Empire • Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary • Hancock Askew & Company LLP • Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce • Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance • Historic Savannah Carriage Tours • Historic Savannah Foundation • Hostess City Celebrations • HostSouth • HT Creative, LLC • HunterMaclean • iDcard.com • Indian Motorcycle Savannah • John Alexander Photography • Johnnie Ganem Wine & Package Shop • Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace • Kinsley Meetings • Levy Jewelers • Living Social • Maven Makers • Merchant Service Center • Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum • Miss Judy Charters • Mobility BOBs /ˈakSH(ə)n/ - [noun]: the accomplishment of a thing usually over a period of time, in • Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP • MusicFile Productions/Savannah Stopover Music Festival • NeSmith Gift Advertising • Northern Lights Resstages, with •the possibility ofCrepetition toration • Nourish • NuBarter • Official G uides of Sor avannah Ogeechee Technical ollege • Oglethorpe Tours • Old Savannah Tours • Old Town TrolleySince Tours of Savannah • ON Eventacting Serviceson • Pissues atrick’s U niforms • Paul Kennedy Catering ooler Chamber of Commerce 1998, we’ve been that affect our industry and• Pour community as a and Visitor’s Bureau • Private Walking Tours of Savannah • Quality Wine & Spirits • Quirk Health & Wellness • Ranco South Event Rentals • Randy Thompwhole. Through our publications that spread your message to workforce development that son Photography • Redware • Resort Services, Inc. • Responsible Alcohol Server Training LLC • Richmond Hill City Center • Richmond Hill helps you find•the have a host of accomplishments share. As inCooper the Photography Convention & Visitors Bureau Riverright Streetemployee, Market Place we • River Street Riverboat Company • River Streetto Sweets • Robert • Robertson & Markowitz A dvertising & Public Relations • Roots Up Gallery • Royal Cinemas & IMAX • Royal Cup Coffee • Salt Table • Savancase of our annual events, we’ve carried on these projects for 17 years. nah Art Association • Savannah Auction Exchange • Savannah Book Festival • Savannah Cams, LLC • Savannah Candy Kitchen • Savannah Coca-Cola • Savannah Coffee Roasters • Savannah Destination Management LLC • Savannah Distributing Company • Savannah International Trade & Convention Center • Savannah Magazine • Savannah Morning News • Savannah Music Festival • Savannah Pedicab, LLC • Savannah Philharmonic • Savannah Rae’s Gourmet Popcorn • Savannah Technical College • Savannah Theatre • Savannah Tour of Homes • SavannahHilton Head International Airport • Savannahjobs.com • Savannah Waterfront Association • Savor Savannah Catering by SMG • Scott West Marketing • Segway of Savannah • Service Brewing Co. • SHELTAIR Aviation • Sherrill & Company • Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum • Shoe Be Do • Vicki Siefker • Signature Flight • South Magazine • Southern Urgent Care • Spectrum Printing/Marketing Service • Stafford Promotions • Stay Savannah Vacation Rentals • Steel the Show • Sysco Jacksonville • Tanger Outlets Savannah • Telfair Museum of Art • The AdFish Group • The Ancient Olive • The Coastal Bank • The Creative Approach • The Kennickell Group • The Landings at Skidaway Island • The Mackey House • The Savannah Walks Inc. • The Spice & Tea Exchange of Savannah • Totally Tourist • Tour Services, LLC • Tradewinds Casino Cruise • TRAVELHOST of Savannah & Hilton Head/Beaufort • Tremble Productions • Tybee Island Historical Society • United Distributors • United WebWorks, Inc. • USCB - Hospitality Management Program • Virginia College - Savannah • Visit Savannah • Visit Tybee • Visitors Television Network • Webb Military Museum • West Broad Street YMCA • William D. Cannady, CPA, PC • WJCL-TV; WTGS-TV • Woof Gang Bakery • YatesAstro • YMCA of Coastal Georgia • 39 Rue De Jean • 45 Bistro • a.Lure Contemporary Lowcountry Cuisine • Abe’s on Lincoln • Ampersand • B. Matthew’s Eatery • B. Tillman • Belford’s Savannah Seafood & Steaks • Blowin’ Smoke • Boar’s Head Grill & Tavern • Boomy’s Bar on Congress • Born to Eat Enterprises, LLC • Byrd Cookie Company • Chart House Restaurant • Chicken Salad Chick • Churchill’s Pub • Club One Jefferson/ The Bay Cafe • CO/Cocktail Co. • Cohen’s Retreat • Crystal Beer Parlor • Dept. 7 East • Driftaway Cafe • Elizabeth on 37th • Fiddler’s Crab House • Garibaldi’s Cafe • Green Truck Pub • Huey’s • Jazz’d Tapas Bar • Johnny Harris Banquet Center • Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub • Leoci’s Trattoria • Leopold’s Ice Cream • Liberty Street Grill • Lighthouse Pizza Inc. • Local 11ten Food & Wine • Moon River Brewing Company • North Beach Bar & Grill • Pacci Italian Kitchen & Bar • Rock House Bar & Grill • Ruth’s Chris Steak House • Sapphire Grill Restaurant • Shrimp Factory • Spanky’s River Street • The 5 Spot • The Collins Quarter • The Crab Shack • The Florence • The Funky Brunch Cafe • The Grey Restaurant • The Lady & Sons • The Landings Club • The Olde Pink House Restaurant • The Pirates’ House Restaurant • The Rail Pub • Top Deck Savannah, LLC • Treylor Park • Tubby’s Thunderbolt • Vic’s on the River • Wet Willie’s •Wicked Cakes of Savannah • Wild Wing Cafe •

AC T IO N

PU B L IC ATION S

hrough our annual publications, we are able to provide advertisement opportunities to around 4 million overnight guests at subsidized costs to our partners. Savannah: A Southern Journey is a beautiful coffee table book that goes in the rooms of more lodging properties than any other publication. The Concierge Dining Directory is a large, leather-bound book that sits in the lobby and provides guests with restaurant recommendations. In its seventh year of publication, Savannah: A Southern Journey is now in more lodging properties and reaching new audiences more than ever before. This year, we held a photo contest to determine this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cover of Savannah: A Southern Journey. We engaged residents and guests, and encouraged them to submit their best photos that captured the spirit of Savannah. We reached out through a series of promotions on WJCL, Mid-Morning Live on WTOC, The Southern Scene on WSAV, along with guest posts on blogs for Visit Savannah, Discover Tybee, Savannah Lodging and Stay in Savannah. We received more than 600 entries that we then narrowed down to the top 9. The nine finalists were presented in a public vote, where thousands of people voted. The winning photo was taken by Joey Gaston, an Army Ranger and photographer from Chattanooga, Tennessee, who is stationed at Hunter Army Airfield.

WOR K FORCE DE VELOPM ENT

s a community that employs more people in Savannah than any other single industry, our role in the pipeline of good workers is key. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why the Tourism Leadership Council works with community partners to focus on how to train and prepare people to work in tourism and hospitality. We worked with Savannah Technical College in creating a Maintenance and Engineering certification program for the lodging industry. We worked with Goodwill to create a soft skills training program for the tourism industry employees and potential employees. This year, the board of directors embarked on a community project working with the Coastal Center for Developmental Services (pictured), which provides employment training for people with special needs, and helps place them in jobs in the community. After working with some of the people who benefit from CCDS services, several board membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; businesses have hired employees from the organization.

EDUC ATION

n addition to workforce development, the TLC aims to educate. The staff goes to public schools, colleges, universities and places of business to conduct customer service training. The lessons are varied and include the basics of customer service to more job- and sitespecific specialties. Our team has experience in hospitality and curriculum design, and with that we are able to create a custom class for each group that reaches out to us. For our members, we are able to offer these custom classes free of charge. We have also successfully continued the Concierge Certifications Level I program, more than doubling participation through our Coastal Concierge Association initiative. Additionally, we have successfully launched Concierge Certification Level II program. There are also monthly mixers for the concierge, and each event starts with a customer service refresher lesson.

I Service Leader Russ Mitchell, The Marshall House

President’s Award Jaclyn Schott, Stay in Savannah

n March, the TLC hosted the 17th Annual Tourism Awards & Scholarship Dinner at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center. Nearly 400 people attended this black-tie affair, which honored the best of the tourism community. We also awarded $6,000 in scholarships to deserving students, making our contributions to the education of the future of tourism total more than $70,000.

SC H O L A R S H I P R E C I PI E N T S

Curtis & Taylor Washington, Virginia College Hayley Miller, University of South Carolina – Beaufort Sydney Palad, University of South Carolina – Beaufort Jeanne Nikles, Savannah Technical College

I AM TOURISM Erica Backus, Visit Savannah

Board of Directors Award Julie Tolbert, Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department

Presenting Sponsor Visit Savannah

Platinum Sponsors

TLC Member of the Year Marcia Banes, Savannah Dream Vacations

Service Star Joy Driggers, Lucky Savannah Vacation Rentals

John P. Rousakis Community Champion Ansley Williams, Live Oak Restaurant Group

Herb & Franklin Traub Visionary Award Mark Dana, Savannah Lodging

Chairman’s Award (posthumous) Richard Chambless, HostSouth

Georgia Power Image Hotels Live Oak Restaurant Group North Point Hospitality Old Town Trolley Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport Savannah Lodging Savannah Technical College Savannah Waterfront Association Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa Wet Willie’s

Gold Sponsors City Market/Yates-Astro Savannah Marriott Riverfront SAVOR...Savannah University of South CarolinaBeaufort

Silver Sponsors Andaz/Hyatt Regency City of Savannah Hilton Savannah DeSoto HLC Hotels Lucky Savannah Vacation Rentals Mansion on Forsyth Park Marshall House Savannah’s Candy Kitchen Savannah Coca-Cola Savannah International Trade & Convention Center The Brice Troy University

Scorecard Sponsor Yates-Astro Termite & Pest Control

Putting Sponsor Old Savannah Tours

PGA Circle Sponsors Hyatt Regency The Brice

ay 12, 2015 was a perfect day for golfing at the Club at Savannah Harbor for the 17th Annual TLC Golf Tournament. The yearly event raised money for the TLC scholarship fund, which provided scholarships for five deserving students in 2015. As always, there was plenty of delicious food and drinks at every turn. Local businesses also showcased their products by becoming hole sponsors.

Master Circle Sponsors Image Hotels Live Oak Restaurant Group North Point Hospitality Old Town Trolley Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport Savannah Lodging Savannah Waterfront Association Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa Wet Willieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

17 Hundred 90 Inn & Restaurant • Andaz • Azalea Inn and Gardens • B Historic Savannah • Best Western Plus - Savannah Historic District • Bluegreen Resorts • Comfort Suites Historic District • Country Inn & Suites - Savannah Airport • Country Inn & Suites Savannah Midtown • Courtyard by Marriott Savannah Historic District • Desoto Beach Bed & Breakfast • Desoto Beach Hotel • Doubletree Hotel Historic Savannah • East Bay Inn • Eliza Thompson House • Embassy Suites Savannah • Embassy Suites Savannah Airport • Green Palm Inn • Grove Point Plantation • Hampton Inn & Suites Midtown Savannah • Hampton Inn Historic District • Hampton Inn Savannah I-95 North • Hilton Garden Inn - Savannah Airport • Hilton Garden Inn - Midtown • Hilton Garden Inn - Savannah Historic District • Hilton Savannah DeSoto • Holiday Inn Historic Savannah • Holiday Inn Express - Historic District • Homewood Suites by Hilton Savannah Historic District • HOS Management • Hotel Tybee • Hyatt Place Savannah Airport • Hyatt Regency Savannah • Kehoe House • Lucky Savannah Vacation Rentals • Mansion on Forsyth Park • Marshall House • Ocean Plaza Beach Resort • Oglethorpe Inn & Suites • Olde Harbour Inn • Planters Inn • Presidents’ Quarters • Residence Inn by Marriott Savannah Downtown • Residence Inn Savannah Airport • River Street Inn • Roussell’s Garden B&B • Savannah Bed & Breakfast Inn • Savannah Dream Vacations • Savannah Marriott Riverfront • Sea and Breeze Hotel • Sega Management/Holiday Inn Express - Hardeeville • Southern Belle Vacation Rentals • Springhill Suites Savannah Airport • Springhill Suites Savannah Historic District • Springhill Suites Savannah Midtown • Staybridge Suites Historic Savannah • The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront • The Brice - A Kimpton Hotel • The Cotton Sail Hotel • The Gastonian • The Whitman • Thunderbird Inn • Tybee Vacation Rentals • Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa • York Street Vacation Condos • Zeigler House Inn, LLC • 24e • Above & Beyond Limousine Service • Abshire Public Relations • Action Coach • Adventure Tours in Motion • Advertising Specialty Services • Alphagraphics • Ambos Seafood • American Diabetes Association • Ameris Bank • Andrew Low House • Andrews & Sanders Law Office (Veterans Council) • Atlanta Magazine • Atlantic Waste Services • Avail Public Health Compliance Consulting • Belfor Property Restoration • Bernard Williams Insurance & Financial Services • Blue Focus Media • Bonaventure Historical Society • Byrd Cookie Company • Captain Mike’s Dolphin Adventure • Chatham Area Transit • Chatham Parkway Subaru • Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table • Cherokee Publishing Company • City Market • City of Savannah • Clear Channel Media & Entertainment • Coastal Heritage Society • Cobblestone Connections • Convention Consultants • Cool Wave, Inc. • Creative Peanut • Cumulus Broadcasting • Dalsego, LLC • Discover Tybee Island • Downtown Business Association • Eat It and Like It.com • Edgewood Travel • Edibelles • Edward Don & Company • Electric Bikes of Savannah • Empire Distributors • Escape Savannah • Expedia • Families First Funeral Care & Cremation Center • First African Baptist Church • Friesens America • Georgia Department of Economic Development & Tourism • Gallery 209 • Garden City Convention & Visitors Bureau • Gas South • General Growth Properties/Oglethorpe Mall • Georgia Association of CVBs • Georgia Power • Georgia Tech Savannah • Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia • Goodwill of the Coastal Empire • Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary • Hancock Askew & Company LLP • Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce • Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance • Historic Savannah Carriage Tours • Historic Savannah Foundation • Hostess City Celebrations • HostSouth • HT Creative, LLC • HunterMaclean • iDcard.com • Indian Motorcycle Savannah • John Alexander Photography • Johnnie Ganem Wine & Package Shop • Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace • Kinsley Meetings • Levy Jewelers • Living Social • Maven Makers • Merchant enter • Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum • Miss Judy Charters • Mobility BOBs /ˈˈmembərˌSHip/[noun]:Service the Cnumber or body of members in a group • Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP • MusicFile Productions/Savannah Stopover Music Festival • NeSmith Gift Advertising • Northern Lights ResMore 300 areSavannah currently members of the Tourism Leadership toration • Nourish • Nthan uBarter • Obusinesses fficial Guides of • Ogeechee Technical College • Oglethorpe Tours • Council, Old Savannah Tours • Old Town Trolleyenjoying Tours of Savannah • ON Servicesthem • Patrick Uniforms • Paulcommunity Kennedy Catering ooler Chamber of Commerce benefits thatEvent connect to’s the tourism and• Pthe community as a and Visitor’s Bureau • Private Walking Tours of Savannah • Quality Wine & Spirits • Quirk Health & Wellness • Ranco South Event Rentals • Randy Thompwhole. A complete list of our membership is listed in the background of the blue divider son Photography • Redware • Resort Services, Inc. • Responsible Alcohol Server Training LLC • Richmond Hill City Center • Richmond Hill this report. Convention & Visitors Bureau • River Street Marketpages Place • throughout River Street Riverboat Company • River Street Sweets • Robert Cooper Photography • Robertson & Markowitz Advertising & Public Relations • Roots Up Gallery • Royal Cinemas & IMAX • Royal Cup Coffee • Salt Table • Savannah Art Association • Savannah Auction Exchange • Savannah Book Festival • Savannah Cams, LLC • Savannah Candy Kitchen • Savannah Coca-Cola • Savannah Coffee Roasters • Savannah Destination Management LLC • Savannah Distributing Company • Savannah International Trade & Convention Center • Savannah Magazine • Savannah Morning News • Savannah Music Festival • Savannah Pedicab, LLC • Savannah Philharmonic • Savannah Rae’s Gourmet Popcorn • Savannah Technical College • Savannah Theatre • Savannah Tour of Homes • SavannahHilton Head International Airport • Savannahjobs.com • Savannah Waterfront Association • Savor Savannah Catering by SMG • Scott West Marketing • Segway of Savannah • Service Brewing Co. • SHELTAIR Aviation • Sherrill & Company • Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum • Shoe Be Do • Vicki Siefker • Signature Flight • South Magazine • Southern Urgent Care • Spectrum Printing/Marketing Service • Stafford Promotions • Stay Savannah Vacation Rentals • Steel the Show • Sysco Jacksonville • Tanger Outlets Savannah • Telfair Museum of Art • The AdFish Group • The Ancient Olive • The Coastal Bank • The Creative Approach • The Kennickell Group • The Landings at Skidaway Island • The Mackey House • The Savannah Walks Inc. • The Spice & Tea Exchange of Savannah • Totally Tourist • Tour Services, LLC • Tradewinds Casino Cruise • TRAVELHOST of Savannah & Hilton Head/Beaufort • Tremble Productions • Tybee Island Historical Society • United Distributors • United WebWorks, Inc. • USCB - Hospitality Management Program • Virginia College - Savannah • Visit Savannah • Visit Tybee • Visitors Television Network • Webb Military Museum • West Broad Street YMCA • William D. Cannady, CPA, PC • WJCL-TV; WTGS-TV • Woof Gang Bakery • YatesAstro • YMCA of Coastal Georgia • 39 Rue De Jean • 45 Bistro • a.Lure Contemporary Lowcountry Cuisine • Abe’s on Lincoln • Ampersand • B. Matthew’s Eatery • B. Tillman • Belford’s Savannah Seafood & Steaks • Blowin’ Smoke • Boar’s Head Grill & Tavern • Boomy’s Bar on Congress • Born to Eat Enterprises, LLC • Byrd Cookie Company • Chart House Restaurant • Chicken Salad Chick • Churchill’s Pub • Club One Jefferson/ The Bay Cafe • CO/Cocktail Co. • Cohen’s Retreat • Crystal Beer Parlor • Dept. 7 East • Driftaway Cafe • Elizabeth on 37th • Fiddler’s Crab House • Garibaldi’s Cafe • Green Truck Pub • Huey’s • Jazz’d Tapas Bar • Johnny Harris Banquet Center • Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub • Leoci’s Trattoria • Leopold’s Ice Cream • Liberty Street Grill • Lighthouse Pizza Inc. • Local 11ten Food & Wine • Moon River Brewing Company • North Beach Bar & Grill • Pacci Italian Kitchen & Bar • Rock House Bar & Grill • Ruth’s Chris Steak House • Sapphire Grill Restaurant • Shrimp Factory • Spanky’s River Street • The 5 Spot • The Collins Quarter • The Crab Shack • The Florence • The Funky Brunch Cafe • The Grey Restaurant • The Lady & Sons • The Landings Club • The Olde Pink House Restaurant • The Pirates’ House Restaurant • The Rail Pub • Top Deck Savannah, LLC • Treylor Park • Tubby’s Thunderbolt • Vic’s on the River • Wet Willie’s •Wicked Cakes of Savannah • Wild Wing Cafe •

MEMBERSHIP

2015 T LC B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S Executive Committee

Chairman Mitch Linder, Brice HotelA Kimpton Property

Chair-Elect Brendan Ferrara, Savannah Technical College

Secretary Marty Johnston, City of Savannah

Treasurer Whip Triplett, Northpoint Hospitality

At-Large Mark Spadoni, Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa

At-Large Paul Kennedy, Paul Kennedy Catering

Directors

Fredia Brady, SITCC

Charlie Brazil, Old Town Trolley

Kristin Detwiler, Capt. Ben Herron Savannah-Chatham Savannah Metropolitan Police Destination Department Management

Diana Morrison, Advertising Specialty

Jamie Parks, Savor...Savannah

Kal Patel, Image Hotels

Immediate Past Chairman Greg Kelly, Savannah/HHI International Airport

Marcie Hill, City Market

Kimberly Phillips, Michael Plummer, Yates-Astro City Market

T LC S TA F F

Michael Owens President/CEO

Molly Swagler Vice President

Hallie Mobley Anderegg Director of Operations

Briana Manion Claire Sandow Ron Scalf Jan Gourley Executive Communications Member Services Savannah Food Assistant Coordinator & Sales Manager & Wine Festival Director

Gordon Gourley Savannah Food & Wine Festival Manager

TLC

TOUR I S M

VISION • ADVOC ACY• AC T ION